First impressions: I tend to enjoy survival stories, so I was intrigued by the premise. I like the title and cover. There’s a prologue, which I found interesting. The beginning wasn’t dragged out or too slow.

Characters: There are a lot of characters, but the novel focuses on certain individuals more than others. The protagonist, Tom, is a complex character who I could relate to. Despite the depth of most characters, I found it hard to visualize their physical appearance. Obviously, some aren’t as likeable as others, but the dynamic of the group felt realistic. There’s a bit of diversity, and I would’ve loved more.

Quote:

“You lost someone you love and that never goes away.”

Writing: The chapters aren’t long, and they’re from Tom’s perspective but written in the third person. There isn’t much romance.

Final thoughts: The ending left me wanting more in a good way. It isn’t too unpredictable or shocking. Also, the epilogue ties back to the prologue, so the book comes full circle, and I’m a fan of that. It’s a standalone, but I feel like the aftermath of what the high schoolers went through could be another book in and of itself.

I would recommend When We Were Lost to those interested in stories about survival in the South American wilderness.